A devastating tragedy has shaken the Albanian community in France and across Albania, after a young couple from Korça was found dead inside their apartment in Brest. The horrifying incident, which French authorities are treating as a case of femicide followed by suicide, has once again brought attention to the increasing cases of domestic violence involving Albanian families living abroad.
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| Andon Janaqi and Anjeza Zeneli |
What makes the situation even more heartbreaking is that the couple’s 3-year-old child was present inside the home during the shooting, while their older son was at school. French social services have taken both children into protective custody for their safety and well-being.
A History of Domestic Violence Ignored
French media and investigative sources revealed that Anjeza had reported her husband to police just weeks earlier, claiming she had suffered physical and psychological abuse. She also stated that Andon was “extremely jealous,” a factor that investigators now believe contributed to the escalation of violence.
On October 23, Anjeza filed a formal complaint against her husband for domestic abuse. However, she later withdrew the report, expressing hope that her husband could receive psychological support and that the family could remain united.
This pattern — reporting abuse but eventually retracting out of fear, financial dependence, social pressure, or hope for change — is unfortunately common among Albanian families, both in Albania and within diaspora communities. French authorities are now categorizing the case as femicide, a term increasingly used across Europe to describe murders of women committed by intimate partners.
Family in Albania Pleads for Help: “We Cannot Afford to Bring Our Son Back Home”
Back in Korça, the family of the perpetrator is left devastated, confused, and financially desperate. Floresha Ilo, the mother of Andon Janaqi, made a public appeal to Albanian authorities, asking for help to repatriate her son’s body.
“I want help to bring my son here. I have no money to travel to France or pay for the repatriation. I am poor, living on a 20,000-lek salary. What can I do? They had been in France for four years, they had a house, documents, but they had problems as a couple. The last time I spoke to my son was yesterday. He told me: ‘Mom, I am very upset.’ Then he hung up because the older child asked for the phone,” she said tearfully.
Floresha added that she has had no communication with the family of her daughter-in-law, which has left her feeling excluded and abandoned in this moment of deep tragedy.
“We Want His Body Home, and We Want to Raise the Children” – Sister’s Appeal
Andon's sister, Paola Janaqi, also appealed for help. She said the family is unable to cover funeral or repatriation costs and expressed their wish to care for the two children.
“We have no financial means. Our mother has only her salary, and she has already paid off debts. We only want to bring our brother home. We spoke to him yesterday — he was under a lot of stress. Today they told us: ‘Be strong, your brother has died.’ They have two children. They said the children will be taken by the state. We want the children; we want to raise them here — one with us and one with the other grandmother,” she said.
A Community in Shock
The Albanian community in Brest and across France remains deeply disturbed by the event. For many Albanian families living abroad, the tragedy reflects a painful and recurring issue: domestic violence that follows them even outside their homeland, despite improved economic opportunities or stronger social systems.
Friends and acquaintances of the couple reported that although they had moved to France four years ago and obtained regular documentation, the relationship had long been troubled, with frequent arguments and visible tensions.
A Wake-Up Call for Albanian Society
As the investigation continues, the tragedy has reignited important conversations among Albanians about:
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The consequences of untreated psychological stress
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The cultural stigma surrounding seeking help
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The dangers of ignoring early signs of domestic abuse
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The vulnerability of women who fear breaking the family structure
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The future of children left orphaned after such violence
For the families involved, the pain is immeasurable. For the Albanian community, both in Albania and abroad, it is another reminder that domestic violence is not a private issue — it is a fatal risk that must not be ignored.